A BOOZY Belgian pilot has admitted being drunk in charge of a plane after flying from France to the UK – because he thought ­aviation fuel here was cheaper.

Arne Wante, chief executive of Travel Expo, was stopped by an immigration officer after landing his light aircraft on May 19.

The officer alerted police after noticing a strong smell of alcohol.

Wante was collared after heading to the airport bar while his plane was refuelled. The exhibitions organiser, 43, told Canterbury crown court he flew from Calais, France, to Lydd Airport, Kent, as he thought it would cost less for him to fill up in the UK.

He admitted partying in Belgium on the night of May 18 with school friends before flying to Calais, then the UK, the next day.

The court heard he was five times the drink-fly limit when stopped.

Judge Michael O’Sullivan told him: “Alcohol affects judgment. Your actions may have led to a disaster for you and your passengers.”